Football - Ba signs for Chelsea

Demba Ba insisted it was an easy decision to sign for the Champions League winners after his move to Chelsea was confirmed by the club on Friday.

The Senegal striker has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract after his move from Newcastle for an undisclosed fee. The London club had triggered a £7million release clause in his Magpies contract. Ba, 27, who will be eligible for selection for Saturday's FA Cup third-round match at Southampton, will wear the number 29 shirt.

He told Chelsea's official website: "It feels good to be here, I'm very happy and very proud. When the club who won the Champions League wants you, the decision is very easy. This club is massive and that's something that helped the decision a lot. It was not a hard one."

He added: "It was important for me, and for Newcastle, to get my future sorted and now we can move on. Now they have the whole month to buy someone and for me as well, the sooner the better. Now I am here I just need to get settled in."